Item Description: Isabelle Emerson is Professor of Music, Department of Music, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Five Centuries of Women Singers explores the careers of twenty singers from the late sixteenth century to the middle of the twentieth. In addition to personal information, the stories of these singers tell a great deal about contemporary musical life, about musical and dramatic ideals of the time, and about performance practice. The experiences of the singers also reveal much about the business of music –how women were dealt with by teachers, impresarios, composers, and audiences–and the perseverance and pluck that were and are crucial ingredients of a successful career. The twenty singers were selected on the basis of their contribution to and influence on the art of singing, their significance in the history of performance, what their careers reveal about the life of a professional female musician, and finally for the originality of their achievements. All of the singers included reached the pinnacle of their art with persistence, ingenuity, and unsurpassed musicianship. If you feel the item description is not right, please bring it to my attention so that it can be addressed and that I can get you the right information and pricing. Best Offers: Items are available for offers only after being listed for 30 days. We consider all offers in relation to current market values. We try to respond almost immediately to most offers. Most of our counteroffers are firm but we are open to bargaining. Contact Us: We are available 7 days a week and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Returns: We make refunds when you send us the tracking number and we also receive the book we sent you. WE DO NOT make returns if you do not meet those requirements. This item is shipped with USPS Media Mail. The books we sell are shipped one day after your payment. If your payment is made on Saturday or Sunday, we will ship on Monday. We do not ship outside the USA. We remind you that in the Christmas season all shipments are delayed. FOR AN UNKNOWN “REASON” THE USPS TAKES UP TO A MONTH AND A HALF IN SOME BOOK SHIPMENTS. Please ask all questions prior to purchasing. Thanks for looking!